The Betrayal of Neo-Liberalism in the Arts and Culture Sector
It’s Beyond Time for Change
Anonymous Collective
“Neoliberism is a political approach that favors free-market capitalism, deregulation, and reduction in government spending.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of arts and culture, neo-liberalism has insidiously crept into our creative communities, masquerading as progress and innovation. Yet beneath this glittering façade lies a sinister truth: the neo-liberal agenda is inherently designed to fail Black and Brown people, perpetuating systemic inequities and stifling the transformative power of the arts. For Black-led nonprofits, the racial wealth gap means we lack access to the financial resources that white-led organizations take for granted. Black and Brown leaders rarely have the privilege of turning to family members or friends for large infusions of cash for their nonprofits. We often lack access to social or professional networks that can provide the monetary resources necessary to grow and scale their organizations. It’s time to expose these oppressive mechanisms, ignite a collective rage, and inspire a clarion call to action to create a liberatory arts and culture sector.
Neo-liberalism, with its relentless focus on market-driven principles, privatization, and individualism, has long infiltrated the arts and culture sector, transforming it into a commodified playground for the elite. This ideology, steeped in capitalist greed, has redirected the flow of resources, opportunities, and recognition away from historically marginalized communities for generations. About 76.8 percent of Black and Brown-led nonprofits operate on a budget of less than $500,000 a year, and nearly one-third operate with just $30,000 yearly. Primarily made up of volunteers, 43.5 percent of these organizations operate without paid, full-time employees, and 45.65 percent have no paid, part-time employees. Instead of nurturing the rich cultural tapestries of Black and Brown artists, neo-liberalism prioritizes profit over people, reducing art to mere transactions devoid of soul and social relevance.
The impact of this betrayal is palpable. Funding structures, skewed by neo-liberal values, disproportionately favor white-dominated institutions, leaving Black and Brown artists and organizations struggling for survival. These inequitable systems perpetuate a cycle of exclusion, systematically silencing the voices and visions of marginalized communities. The essence of art—a powerful tool for storytelling, resistance, and healing—is stripped away and replaced by homogenized, commercially viable products that cater to the tastes of the privileged.
The neo-liberal obsession with quantifiable outcomes and metrics further marginalizes Black and Brown artists. Value is measured not by its cultural significance, impact, or its capacity to challenge and transform but by its marketability and ability to attract corporate sponsorships. This reductionist approach devalues the lived experiences and creative expressions of marginalized communities, erasing their contributions from the cultural narrative.
Photo courtesy of the International African American Museum
Yet, amidst this bleak landscape lies a fierce, unyielding spirit of resistance. Black and Brown artists, fueled by a legacy of resilience and defiance, continue to create, challenge, and envision new worlds. Their art is an act of rebellion, a powerful assertion of their humanity in the face of systemic oppression. Through their creative labor, we catch glimpses of liberation, of a future where the chains of neo-liberalism do not bind the arts and culture sector but are a vibrant, inclusive space that honors and uplifts all voices.
To dismantle the neo-liberal stranglehold on the arts and culture sector, we must channel our collective rage into actionable change. Black-led and Black-benefiting nonprofits face unique fundraising challenges, with 86.5 percent always or often having trouble accessing a large, diverse number of funding sources, and 72.7 percent constantly or usually challenged to identify or cultivate new funders. Nearly 53 percent of organizations indicated they would shut down if they lost one or two key funders. This begins with radically reimagining funding models, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and prioritizing Black and Brown artists and organizations. Philanthropic institutions and governmental bodies must commit to reparative justice, addressing the historical and ongoing disenfranchisement of marginalized communities within the arts.
We must cultivate spaces that foster genuine collaboration and solidarity, where Black and Brown artists and organizations can thrive without the constraints of market-driven pressures. This requires an unwavering commitment to decolonizing our cultural institutions, challenging the white supremacist norms that dictate whose humanities are valued and whose are ignored. We must demand accountability and transparency from those in positions of power, insisting on policies and practices that dismantle systemic barriers and promote inclusivity.
Education and advocacy are also crucial in this fight. We must amplify the stories and contributions of Black and Brown artists so we can shift the cultural narrative and highlight the indispensable role we play in shaping our collective identity. Arts education programs must be restructured to center the experiences and histories of marginalized communities, empowering the next generation of artists to carry the torch of liberation.
The neo-liberalism of the arts and culture sector is a betrayal of the very essence of arts and culture. It is a system designed to fail Black and Brown people, perpetuating inequities and silencing voices that dare to disrupt the status quo. But we refuse to be silenced. Our rage is a testament to our commitment to justice, and our creativity is a pathway for change. We can tear down the oppressive structures of neo-liberalism and build a liberatory arts and culture sector that celebrates and uplifts the beauty, power, and resilience of Black and Brown communities. The time for action is now.
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE
This piece was written by an anonymous collective. They chose to remain anonymous due to the pervasive power dynamics that plague the arts and culture sector. The entrenched interests and gatekeepers within the industry make it risky to speak openly about systemic issues and inequities.
